The network is home to archaeological remains found in this area, known as "Commagene" in ancient times. The tumulus of Antiochos and the giant statues here, Eskikale, Yenikale, Karakuş Tepe and Cendere Bridge are cultural values within the national park.[2] On the east and west terraces, there are lion and eagle statues as well as Antiochos and god-goddess statues. A unique lion horoscope is located on the west terrace. There are 3 stars consisting of 16 rays on the lion, and they are thought to represent the planets Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. It is the oldest known horoscope in history.[3]
The sculptures were carved by blending Hellenistic, Persian art and the original art of the Commagene country. In this sense, Mount Nemrut can be called "the bridge of western and eastern civilization".[4]
Antiochus Theos, the king of Commagene, had his own tomb-temple built on the top of this mountain in 62 BC, as well as the statues of many Greek and Persian gods. The tomb contains stone carvings of gods, like the head of an eagle. The arrangement of the statues is known as hierotation.
Excavations were carried out in the tomb in 1881 by the German engineer Karl Sester. The tomb of Antiochus was not found in the excavations carried out in the following years. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, Mount Nemrut was protected by the Mount Nemrut National Park established in 1988.[4]
